James Harden, Sixers Agree To 2-Year Deal With Player Option For 2023-24: Reports
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Beard is back. James Harden has re-signed with the Sixers on a two-year deal worth $68.6 million, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Free agent James Harden has agreed on a two-year, $68.6M deal, including a player option, to return to the 76ers, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 20, 2022
According to Wojnarowski, it's essentially a one-year deal with a player option for the 2023-24 season.
Harden will make $33M for the 2022-2023 season, and has the player option for $35.6M in 2023-2024, sources tell ESPN. He can move right back into free agency next summer and negotiate another new deal. https://t.co/9UM0LArYzH
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 20, 2022
Harden will make $33 million this upcoming season. He can opt-in for $35.6 million the following season or test free agency.
Earlier in the offseason, Harden opted out of his contract to help the Sixers create cap space and flexibility in free agency.
The pay cut allowed the Sixers to add P.J. Tucker, Danuel House Jr. and Trevelin Queen in free agency.
The Sixers acquired Harden in a blockbuster trade midseason that sent Ben Simmons to Brooklyn.
Harden, who turns 33 in August, didn't quite live up to expectations in his short first stint with the Sixers. He battled a lingering hamstring injury while appearing in 21 regular season games.
In the playoffs, Harden's scoring (18.6 points per game), assists (8.6), and rebounds (5.7) all dipped below his regular season averages.
The Sixers are hoping Harden can regain his All-Star form with a full offseason of recovery.